The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reported that a male Montagu’s harrier, identified as “AU” by conservationists, has successfully bred at the same undisclosed location for the second year running. The bird fathered six chicks total, breeding with two different females across separate nests on English farmland.
Montagu’s harriers were classified on the UK’s red list of most endangered birds in 2021. The species experienced a dramatic decline, dropping from nine successful nests in 2011 to zero documented successful breeding instances between 2020 and 2024. The current breeding success represents a notable turnaround for the population. The RSPB spokesperson expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting the organization is committed to preserving the species.
Conservation efforts have included collaborative work with local farmers to protect the nests through fencing that prevents ground predators like foxes from accessing the birds. The single male has been instrumental in feeding both broods, demonstrating remarkable breeding capability. The nesting sites, located in agricultural fields, are particularly vulnerable due to their ground-level placement among crops.
The BBC obtained exclusive access to document the harriers’ distinctive feeding behavior, in which the male drops captured prey mid-flight and the female performs an inverted maneuver to catch it with her talons. These long-winged raptors undertake extensive annual migrations to Africa during winter before returning to European breeding grounds each summer.
To address knowledge gaps about juvenile behavior, the RSPB fitted two of the chicks with satellite tracking devices for the first time. Mark Thomas, head of investigations at the RSPB, explained that the tags will help researchers understand migration routes, duration of time spent in African wintering areas, and whether juveniles return to the UK in their first or second year. Climate change poses additional challenges, with earlier harvest schedules potentially putting nests at risk of accidental destruction by farm machinery. The RSPB has requested public assistance in monitoring the young birds and encouraged sightings to be reported via their dedicated Montagu’s hotline.
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